Holding out for a hero! Who’s good enough for No.9?
Posted on February 5th, 2010 | 63 Comments |
Of course wearing it, is only part of the ‘legend’ process, the striker has to perform and hopefully do what No.9s do best and that’s score goals. We haven’t always had someone to fill the shirt, and in days before squad numbers, the like of Rob McDonald and Frank Pingel were blessed with the opportunity to say they wore the famous shirt. And as we pretty much all agreed in the our recent review article, we’re struggling at the moment for somone to do it justice.
It seems like Chris Hughton also agrees and the absence of the No.9 shirt at the moment is a conscious decision on his part. According to him:
“It’s been a decision – and my decision – and it’s a bit of everything. When I came to this club I was made aware – not that I didn’t already know – what the number nine meant to this club and it’s a combination of a few things. For some, I think it can be a heavy number to carry, a burden if you like, and wearing it is an achievement which I want somebody to grow into. I want somebody to earn the right to be Newcastle’s number nine.”
“It’s one of the most iconic shirts around and it’s something I’ve done deliberately.
“It’s a combination of a lot of things, but it’s been my decision.”
“We have a lot of strikers here and I’m quite sure every single one would have wanted to wear the No 9.
Though he stopped short of saying that we don’t have someone in the current crop who is capable of making it their own:
“I don’t want to suggest that the strikers we’ve got here aren’t worthy of that position or that number.”.
You don’t need to suggest that Chris, we already know.
Other reports slightly contradict Chris’ stance and comments from Leon Best, imply the shirt was his if he’d wanted it:
“They showed me the numbers that were available when I signed and the nine was there, but I took the 20. The No 9 shirt has to be earned here.”
“It isn’t like the No 9 shirt at other clubs. You have to earn it. You can’t just walk in and take it. There is so much history there that I didn’t want it.”
“I’d like it in the future, but I want to prove that I’m worthy first. I’d like to be given it rather than take it.”
Fair play to the young fella and unless he turns out to be the new Andy Cole, it’s fair to say the No.9 shirt should stay safely on it’s peg for now. Until we get promoted and sign Torres at least…
Best didn’t actually say he was offered it; just that he recognised that he had to earn it. Too right.
To be honest, no striker playing in the CCC should wear it. To earn that shirt you have to be the club’s lead striker in a GOOD premiership season, banging them in against the best teams in the world.
That could take a few years yet, and quite right too.